Ask ten interior designers what good bedroom design looks like, and you’ll probably get ten different answers. Still, all interior designers can agree on the design principles that create a fantastic bedroom. What are those principles?
Principle 1 – Your bed is the focal point
Every bedroom has a bed, but not every bedroom has a great bed. Why is your bed so crucial for a good bedroom design? Because it sets the room’s style, feels, and character more than any other piece of furniture.
Principle 2 – Comfort takes precedence
What good is a bed you hate sleeping in? What good is a bedroom you don’t feel at home in? Your mattress, duvet, pillows, bed linen, cushions, seats, flooring and even your bedroom layout all contribute to comfort levels.
Principle 3 – Organisation is paramount
Everything in your bedroom needs a home, and you need plenty of places where you can put stuff. Under-bed storage, storage boxes, baskets and overdoor hangers are all good solutions, and we also recommend fitted wardrobes if possible.
Principle 4 – Symmetry creates calmness
Ever looked at a painting and noticed it’s slanted? How about a TV stand not perfectly spaced between two walls? Anything off-centre, misaligned or not perfectly spaced creates disorder, creating a sensation of hecticness in your mind.
Principle 5 – Every bedroom needs a theme
Whether you’re partial to industrial or bohemian-retro interior design, settling on a bedroom style makes designing things simpler. You’ll know where you stand with furniture, fixtures and fittings, and have an idea about colours.
A checklist to achieve that next level of comfort
Bed frame
You can get a poster bed frame or a divan or ottoman bed frame. Divan and ottoman beds have in-built storage, while most poster beds have enough space underneath for boxes. Your bed frame should look great and be practical.
Mattress
Your mattress should make you wake up feeling refreshed. A pocket spring mattress is a good choice, as is memory foam. Memory gel mattresses have a cooling effect, so they keep you cooler than memory foam mattresses.
Bedding
Your duvet and pillows should cater for how you sleep. If you are a warm sleeper, use a lower tog duvet and vice versa. Side sleepers should use a firm pillow, back sleepers should use a medium pillow, and front sleepers should use a soft pillow.
Bed linen
Polycotton, cotton or microfibre? We recommend 100% cotton. Cotton is a natural, hypoallergenic material that washes well and stays super soft. Look for a high thread count bed linen set. Egyptian cotton is also a good choice.
Colours
Your bedroom should use pastel colours and subdued colours like pinks, greys and silvers to promote good sleep. Bright colours will stimulate your brain and make your bedroom too energetic.
Textures
Textures play an essential role in how your bedroom feels to use. From bed linen and cushion covers to flooring and rugs, it’s important to use textures you feel comfortable with and pair textures that complement each other.
Symmetry
Symmetry is a technique anyone can use to create a bedroom that looks incredibly tidy and orderly. Use your bed as the focal point for symmetry and your windows to create symmetry on walls. Try and build a sense of rhythm.
Storage
Storage is essential to keep your bedroom tidy. There are loads of clever storage solutions, like buffets with a lid and stackable stores boxes. Under-bed storage is handy, so invest in under-bed boxes or a divan or ottoman bed.
Furniture style
Your furniture should reflect your design theme. Match your bed, dressing table, chairs, chest of drawers and wardrobe together. Use a single colour for all your furniture, and if you can, use a single material like oak or pine.
Ready to get started?
Follow the principles of good bedroom design and use our checklist to create a bedroom you love. Be sure to share your progress with us in the comments section.
